The Brașov Grand Prix Classic 2026 will take place from July 25 to 31, 2026, at Hotel ARO Palace in Brașov, Romania. Arrival of participants is scheduled for July 24.
The tournament is part of the Romania Grand Prix 2026, a major Romanian chess circuit organized by the Romanian Chess Federation. The Brașov stage is a classical chess event with two rating-based tournaments.
The event includes Tournament A for the 2000+ rating category and Tournament B for players rated below 2000. Both tournaments are played over nine Swiss-system rounds and are submitted for FIDE and national rating. The official headline prize fund is €36,000 / approx. $40,990.
📌 Event Details
| 🏆 Tournament | Brașov Grand Prix Classic 2026 |
| 📅 Tournament Dates | July 25–31, 2026 |
| 📅 Arrival Day | July 24, 2026 |
| 📍 Location | Brașov, Romania |
| 🏟️ Venue | Hotel ARO Palace – Bulevardul Eroilor 27–29, Brașov 500030, Romania |
| 🏛️ Organizer | Romanian Chess Federation |
| ♟️ Circuit | Romania Grand Prix 2026 |
| 🧩 Sections | Tournament A and Tournament B |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ♟️ System | Swiss system |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and national rating |
| 💰 Prize Fund | €36,000 / approx. $40,990 |
| 👤 Tournament Director | GM Ciprian Nanu |
| brasovgp@frsah.ro | |
| 🌐 Official Event Page | https://www.romaniagp.ro/events/brasov/ |
| 📝 Registration Platform | https://turnee.frsah.ro/ |
| 📄 Official Prospect | https://www.romaniagp.ro/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GP2-2026-eng.pdf |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Tournament A | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1284091.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=1 |
| ♟️ Chess-Results – Tournament B | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1284092.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=1 |
⏱️ Time Control & Pairings
The Brașov Grand Prix Classic 2026 is played in two synchronized tournaments. Both sections use the Swiss system and have nine rounds.
Tournament A
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Section | Tournament A |
| 👥 Main Rating Category | 2000+ |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ♟️ System | Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for 40 moves, then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and national rating |
Tournament B
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Section | Tournament B |
| 👥 Main Rating Category | Under 2000 |
| 🔢 Rounds | 9 |
| ♟️ System | Swiss system |
| ⏱️ Time Control | 90 minutes for the game, with a 30-second increment from move one |
| ⭐ Rating | FIDE and national rating |
Technical Details
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| 🧮 Pairing Software | Swiss-Manager |
| ⭐ Rating Calculation | FIDE and national rating |
| 🏛️ National Authority | Romanian Chess Federation |
| 📄 Applicable Rules | FIDE Laws of Chess and Grand Prix Romania regulations |
Byes and Absences
A player who cannot attend the first round for a justified reason must notify the organizer in advance so that the player is not paired.
In this case, the player may receive a half-point bye.
Grand Prix Romania regulations allow organizers to award up to two half-point byes in the first six rounds.
Players who withdraw from a round or from the tournament must inform the arbiters. An unjustified no-show may lead to removal from the tournament and exclusion from the Romania Grand Prix circuit.
🏆 Prize Fund
The official headline prize fund for the Brașov Grand Prix Classic 2026 is €36,000 / approx. $40,990.
All cash prizes are listed in Romanian lei / RON in the official prospect.
The prospect states that prizes are taxable according to Romanian rules. It also states that foreign players receive the prize in full and remain responsible for declaring and paying any applicable tax in their country of residence.
General-ranking prizes are distributed according to the Hort system. Prize payments are made by bank transfer within a maximum of 14 days after the end of the tournament.
Players absent from the awards ceremony will have their prize money reduced by 20%.
Tournament A – General Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | 25,000 RON |
| 🥈 2nd Place | 15,000 RON |
| 🥉 3rd Place | 10,000 RON |
| 4th Place | 7,500 RON |
| 5th Place | 6,000 RON |
| 6th Place | 5,000 RON |
| 7th Place | 3,500 RON |
| 8th Place | 3,000 RON |
| 9th Place | 2,500 RON |
| 10th Place | 2,500 RON |
Tournament A – Rating Prizes
| Rating Section | Prizes |
|---|---|
| 2301–2450 | 1st: 4,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON 3rd: 1,000 RON |
| 2151–2300 | 1st: 4,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON 3rd: 1,000 RON |
| Under 2150 | 1st: 4,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON 3rd: 1,000 RON |
Tournament A – Special Prizes
| Category | Prizes |
|---|---|
| 👩 Women | 1st: 5,000 RON 2nd: 3,000 RON 3rd: 2,000 RON |
| 👤 Seniors 65+ | 1st: 3,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON |
| 📍 Top Local Players | 1st: 3,000 RON 2nd: 1,500 RON |
Tournament B – General Prizes
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 🥇 1st Place | 12,500 RON |
| 🥈 2nd Place | 7,500 RON |
| 🥉 3rd Place | 5,000 RON |
| 4th Place | 3,000 RON |
| 5th Place | 2,000 RON |
| 6th Place | 1,500 RON |
| 7th Place | 1,000 RON |
| 8th Place | 1,000 RON |
Tournament B – Rating and Special Prizes
| Category | Prizes |
|---|---|
| 1651–1800 | 1st: 4,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON |
| 1500–1650 | 1st: 4,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON |
| Under 1500 | 1st: 3,000 RON 2nd: 1,500 RON |
| Unrated Players | 1st: 3,000 RON 2nd: 1,500 RON |
| Veterans 65+ | 1st: 3,000 RON 2nd: 2,000 RON |
♟️ Sections / Groups
The Brașov Grand Prix Classic 2026 has two tournament sections.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏆 Tournament A | Main classical section for the 2000+ rating category. Players rated below 2000 may enter Tournament A by paying the higher entry fee listed in the official prospect. |
| 🏆 Tournament B | Rating-limited classical section for players rated below 2000. |
Players must have a valid FIDE ID at the time of registration.
Romanian players must be registered with clubs affiliated to the Romanian Chess Federation and must meet national federation requirements.
Foreign players may participate if they have a valid FIDE ID and are not suspended from competition.
📅 Schedule
| Date | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 24 | — | Arrival of participants |
| Saturday, July 25 | 15:30 | Opening ceremony and technical meeting |
| Saturday, July 25 | 16:00 | Round 1 |
| Sunday, July 26 | 09:30 | Round 2 |
| Sunday, July 26 | 16:00 | Round 3 |
| Monday, July 27 | 16:00 | Round 4 |
| Tuesday, July 28 | 09:30 | Round 5 |
| Tuesday, July 28 | 16:00 | Round 6 |
| Wednesday, July 29 | 16:00 | Round 7 |
| Thursday, July 30 | 16:00 | Round 8 |
| Friday, July 31 | 09:30 | Round 9 |
| Friday, July 31 | 16:00 | Awards ceremony |
Round times are approximate and may depend on the finish of previous games.
📝 Registration
Registration is made exclusively through the Romanian Chess Federation tournament platform.
Registration becomes valid only after full payment of the invoice issued through the registration process.
| Registration Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 📝 Registration Platform | https://turnee.frsah.ro/ |
| 📧 Tournament Email | brasovgp@frsah.ro |
| 👤 Tournament Director | GM Ciprian Nanu |
| 🚫 Final Registration Deadline | July 22, 2026 |
| 💳 Payment Requirement | Registration is confirmed only after full payment |
| ⚠️ After July 22 | No registration is possible |
| ⚠️ Refund Rule | Entry fee is non-refundable and non-transferable after July 22, 2026 |
Tournament A Entry Fees
| Player Category | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Players rated 2000+ — payment by May 20 | €50 |
| Players rated 2000+ — payment from May 21 to July 10 | €65 |
| Players rated 2000+ — payment from July 11 | €80 |
| Players rated below 2000 entering Tournament A | €150 |
| GM, WGM, IM and WIM | Free |
Tournament B Entry Fees
| Payment Period | Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Payment by May 20 | €50 |
| Payment from May 21 to July 10 | €65 |
| Payment from July 11 | €80 |
All payments are made to the account of the Romanian Chess Federation after the invoice is issued.
After registration, players receive an invoice including the participation fee and any selected accommodation or meal expenses. The invoice also includes the bank-account details for payment.
The organizer may offer special conditions to players with an Elo rating above 2600.
🏛️ Organizer
The Romanian Chess Federation organizes the Brașov Grand Prix Classic 2026.
The event is part of the Romania Grand Prix 2026, a five-tournament circuit designed to support strong classical and rapid chess events in Romania. The full circuit has an announced prize fund of €150,000.
| Contact Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Organizer | Romanian Chess Federation |
| ♟️ Circuit | Romania Grand Prix 2026 |
| 👤 Tournament Director | GM Ciprian Nanu |
| 📧 Tournament Email | brasovgp@frsah.ro |
| 🌐 Official Event Page | https://www.romaniagp.ro/events/brasov/ |
| 🌐 Registration Platform | https://turnee.frsah.ro/ |
| 🌐 Federation Website | https://frsah.ro/ |
📍 Venue
Hotel ARO Palace – Bulevardul Eroilor 27–29, Brașov 500030, Romania.
The tournament will be played at Hotel ARO Palace, a central hotel in Brașov. The venue is located close to the historic city center, making it convenient for players staying at the official hotel or nearby accommodation.
| Venue Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| 🏟️ Playing Venue | Hotel ARO Palace |
| 📍 Address | Bulevardul Eroilor 27–29, Brașov 500030, Romania |
| 🏙️ City | Brașov |
| 🌍 Country | Romania |
| 🌐 Hotel Website | https://www.aro-palace.ro/ |
Official Accommodation
Official accommodation is available at Hotel ARO Palace through the organizer.
Rates include breakfast and pool access.
| Accommodation | Rate |
|---|---|
| 🛏️ Standard Single Room | €95 per room per night |
| 🛏️ Standard Double Room | €112 per room per night |
Reservations must be made through the organizer.
Rooms are reserved only after full payment. A limited number of rooms are available at the official tournament rates.
If an accommodation reservation is cancelled, the player is reimbursed the amount paid minus the value of the first night of accommodation.
✈️ How to Get There
Brașov is located in central Romania, in the Transylvania region. The playing venue is in the city center.
| Travel Option | Recommended Route |
|---|---|
| ✈️ From Brașov-Ghimbav International Airport | Travel by taxi, rideshare, airport transfer or local transport to central Brașov. |
| ✈️ From Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport | Continue to Brașov by train, bus, private transfer or rental car. |
| 🚆 By Train | Travel to Brașov Railway Station, then continue to Hotel ARO Palace by taxi, local bus or rideshare. |
| 🚌 By Bus | Intercity buses connect Brașov with Bucharest and other Romanian cities. |
| 🚕 Local Transfer | A taxi or rideshare from Brașov Railway Station to Hotel ARO Palace is usually the simplest option with luggage. |
| 🚗 By Car | Use Hotel ARO Palace, Bulevardul Eroilor 27–29, Brașov 500030 in the navigation system. |
Arrival Advice
Players should arrive in Brașov by July 24 or early on July 25.
The opening ceremony and technical meeting are scheduled for 15:30 on July 25, followed by Round 1 at 16:00.
Players should complete registration and payment before travelling, because no registration is accepted after July 22, 2026.
ℹ️ Other Information
Grand Prix Romania Circuit
The Brașov Grand Prix Classic is one of the five tournaments in the Romania Grand Prix 2026 circuit.
The circuit includes classical and rapid events held in Romanian cities and is organized under the authority of the Romanian Chess Federation.
Grand Prix Points
Players receive Grand Prix points according to their final placement.
For classical events, the player’s tournament score is multiplied by two and added to the Grand Prix placement points.
A player’s final circuit score is calculated from the best four results achieved in the Romania Grand Prix circuit.
Prize Payment
All prizes are paid by bank transfer.
Players must provide the required bank details for payment.
Prizes are paid within a maximum of 14 days after the end of the tournament.
Awards Ceremony
Players who win prizes should attend the awards ceremony.
A prize winner who is absent from the awards ceremony will have the prize reduced by 20%.
Photography and Filming
Flash photography and filming are allowed only during the first 10 minutes of a classical round.
After that period, cameras or video recording without flash may be allowed only with arbiter permission and only if they are silent.
Tournament Conduct
Players must follow the FIDE Laws of Chess, the Grand Prix Romania regulations, and the organizer’s tournament instructions.
Players who cannot attend a round must inform the arbiters in advance.
Related Chess-Results Pages
| Section | Chess-Results |
|---|---|
| Tournament A | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1284091.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=1 |
| Tournament B | https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1284092.aspx?SNode=S0&lan=1 |
Additional Details
Prize Fund (approx.) - $40,990
Organizer
♟️ About Romanian Chess Federation
The Romanian Chess Federation, officially known as Federația Română de Șah, is the national governing organization for chess in Romania. Based in Bucharest, it represents Romanian chess within FIDE and the European Chess Union. The federation coordins, coaches, national teams, and international participation.
Officially established in 1925, the federation has supported organized chess in Romania for more than a century. Its responsibilities extend from grassroots and school chess to elite national-team preparation. It also establishes competition regulations, approves tournaments, processes player registrations and transfers, and manages the national framework for classical, rapid, and blitz chess.
Vlad Ardeleanu serves as President of the Romanian Chess Federation. He was reelected in August 2025 and works with Vice Presidents Andrei Diaconescu and Grandmaster Alin Berescu, Secretary General Gabriel Grecescu, Federal Coach Iulia Ionică, the Board of Directors, specialist commissions, and professional staff. At the beginning of 2026, the federation reported more than 250 active and provisional affiliated structures across Romania.
🏆 Championships and Tournament Activity
The Romanian Chess Federation administers a comprehensive program of individual and team championships. Its national events cover classical chess, rapid chess, blitz, and chess composition. Separate competitions are organized for open players, women, amateurs, juniors, veterans, clubs, and regional representatives.
The principal individual events include the Romanian Open Championship, Romanian Women’s Championship, national amateur competitions, youth championships from Under 8 through Under 20, veterans’ championships, and national rapid and blitz events. Junior championships include open and girls’ categories and provide qualification pathways for European and world competitions.
The national team structure includes the Superliga Open, Superliga Women, Divizia A, Divizia B, and age-group team championships. Promotion and relegation connect the different divisions, allowing clubs to progress through the Romanian league system according to their sporting results.
The federation also develops and supports major international events. The Romania Grand Prix combines classical and rapid tournaments within a national circuit attracting Romanian and international competitors. Romania has also hosted European championships, international opens, elite round-robin tournaments, and events connected with the Grand Chess Tour.
Tournament organizers can submit competitions for national and FIDE approval through the federation. The Romanian Chess Federation publishes an official calendar, tournament regulations, registration information, club and player databases, rating records, and technical guidance for organizers and arbiters.
🎓 Youth Development, Education and Modernization
Youth development is one of the federation’s principal responsibilities. The annual Romanian Children’s and Junior Championships bring together leading young players in classical, rapid, blitz, and chess-composition competitions. Medalists can earn opportunities to represent Romania at European and world youth championships.
The Educație prin Șah program provides additional competition and educational pathways for children and teenagers. It promotes chess as a tool for developing concentration, logical thinking, patience, creativity, and responsible decision-making. The federation also supports regional training, school initiatives, junior teams, development camps, and cooperation with clubs and families.
Coaches and arbiters operate through dedicated national colleges and commissions. The federation organizes professional-development courses, examinations, licensing procedures, and technical seminars. These programs help maintain consistent coaching and arbitration standards throughout the country.
Women’s chess is supported through a dedicated commission, national championships, team competitions, international representation, and development initiatives. The federation also oversees programs for veterans, chess composition, correspondence chess, ethical and disciplinary matters, media relations, and national-team preparation.
Digital development is another current priority. Through the C.E.S.S. project, also presented as “Rocada Digitală,” the federation is developing an integrated digital ecosystem designed to connect players, clubs, coaches, arbiters, teachers, organizers, and public institutions. The system is intended to modernize affiliation, tournament approval, competition administration, education, communication, and federation services.
Through national championships, international events, junior development, professional education, and digital modernization, the Romanian Chess Federation provides the central organizational structure for chess throughout Romania.
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